Watchcase heater



H. A: DENMIRE 1,871,166

WATCHCASE HEATER Filed April 5, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l n r m INVENTORHQmH HDenrnire ATTORN EYS H. A. DENMIRE WATCHCASE HEATER Filed April 5,1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR BY H -benm W ATTORN EYS Patented Aug. 9,1932 HAROLD A. DENMIRE, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR'TO THE GENERAL TIRE &RUBBER src COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

WAT CHCASE HEATER Application filed April 5,

This invention relates to vulcanizing apparatus and more particularly toa vulcanizing heater of the watch case type adapted for vulcanizingpneumatic tires, tire casings and inner tubes for use on motor vehicles.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a heater ofthe watch case type having annular mold sections together with fluidpressure means for pressing one mold section against the other duringthe vulcanizing operation in which means is provided for securelylocking the hinged cover to the body of the heater by interengaginglocking elements at the periphery of the body and also by interengaginglocking elements within the mold annulus.

A further object of the invention is to provide a watch case heater inwhich the hinged cover is locked to the body of the heater by 80 aturning movement of the body portion about its central axis.

A further object is to provide a watch case heater which has a bodyportion which forms a support for the inner of the annular mold sectionsand which has an annular pressure chamber in which is mounted anannularpiston to which the inner mold section is attached.

A further object of the invention is to pro- 80 vide a watch case heaterhaving a body portion provided with an annular pressure chamber in whichthe inner mold section is slidably mounted and a hinged cover whichcarries the outer mold section, both mold sections being provided withsteam chambers for supplying heat to the walls of the mold and permanentsteam connections being provided to the steam chambers of the two moldsections.

A further object of the invention is to provide a watch case heaterhaving means for pulling the mold sections apart to break the adhesionbetween the vulcanized article and the walls of the mold prior to therelease and opening of the cover. 1

With the above and other objects in View, the invention may be said tocomprise a watch case heater as illustrated in the accompanyingdrawingshereinafter described and par 5 ticularly set forth in the appendedclaims 1928. Serial 110.26%584.

together with such variations and modifications thereof as will beapparent to one skilled in the art to which the invention appertains.

Reference should be had to the accompanye ing drawings forming a part ofthis specification in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan viewof a heater embodying the invention.

Fig.2 is a front elevation of the heater with the cover inclosed-position. v Fig. 3'is a horizontal section taken on the lineindicatedat 33 in Fig. 2, showing the cover in partially open position.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line indicated at 4-4 in Fig.2, showing the cover closed'and locked and themold'sections heldtogether under'pressure.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the watch case heater is mountedupon a suitable supporting frame or pedestal having a base land spacedstandards 2 and 3. At the upper end-ofthe standard 2, there is rigidlyattached to the standard a tubu lar supporting member 4 which projectsforwardly from the standard and provides a pivotal support for the' bodyportion 5 of the heater casing. The body portion 5 has at its center aforwardly projecting boss 6 which receives the tubular member 4, theforward end of which is threaded to receive a nut '7 and washer 8 bymeans of which the body member of the casing isheld in place on thesupporting member. The body member 5 is of circular form having aforwardly projecting cylindrical flange 9 at its periphery and aforwardly projecting cylindrical flange 1O concentric with the flange 9and spaced inwardly therefrom, the flanges 9 and 10 forming the sidewalls of an annular'pressure chamber 11.

The outer flange 9 has at its outer-edge an outwardly oflset flange 12which carries spaced inwardly projecting lugs 13. The inner flange 10has at'its outer edge an inwardly offset flange 14 which carries spacedi11- Wardly projecting lugs 15.

The spaced cylindrical flanges 9 and 10 of the body member form theinner and outer walls of the annular fluid pressure chamber 11 in whichis mounted an annular piston watch case 16 provided along its inner andouter edges with suitable packing rings 17 to provide a fluid tight sealbetween the piston and the inner and outer walls of the chamber. Meansis provided for admitting fluid under pressure into the chamber 11between the piston and the rear end of the chamber and also forexhausting pressure from the chamber to draw the piston inwardly towardthe rear end of the chamber. Fluid under pressure may be admitted to'thechamber 11 through pipe 18 controlled by a valve 18a and pressure may beexhausted from the chamber 11 by means of a pipe 19 connected tosuitable suction apparatus and controlled by a valve 19a. An inner moldsection 20 is rigidly attached to the annular piston 16 by means ofbolts 21, the mold section being provided with a flat annular base 22between which baseand the front face of the piston there is interposed astrip of suitable heat insulating material 23 such as asbestos forpreventing the transfer of an excessive amount of heat from the moldsection to the piston 16. The inner mold section 20 is provided on itsouter side with an annular recess 24 which forms one half of the moldcavity and conforms to the tire casing or inner tube to be vulcanized. 1In order to supply heat to the article inthe mold during the vulcanizingoperation, the inner mold section is provided with a steam chamber 25which conforms to the wall of the recess 24. The mold member 20 as wellas the piston 16 preferably has a sliding fit in the annular chamber 11,being provided adjacent its outer face with hearing portions 26 whichbear against the inner and outer walls of the chamber.

Means is provided for supplying steam to the steam chamber 25 and fordraining condensates from the chamber, the steam and drain connectionsbeing permanent connections which do not interfere with the movement ofthe. mold section in the body portion 5 of the heater casing; Steam issupplied to the chamber 25 through a steam pipe 27 fixedly secured tothe mold section adjacent the top thereof and condensates are drainedfrom thesteam' chamber through a pipe 28 rigidly securedto the moldsection adjacent the bottom thereof, the pipes 27 and 28 projectingthrough elongated slots 29 in the outer wall.9 of the pressure chamberso as to permit inward and outward movements of'the mold section in thebod portion of the casing. r

The mold casing comprises in addition to the body portion 5 thereof, aclosure member 30 which is provided with an integral hinge arm 31 whichis pivoted on a vertical hinge pintle 32 carried by the standard 3 atthe upper endthereof. 'The hinged cover 30 is of annular form and itsexternal diameter is substantially the same as that of the body portion4. The cover member 30 is formed to provide on its inner side an annularrecess 33 having'an annular inner portion 34 which is of the same widthand diameter as the chamber 11 and which has cylindrical inner andouter. walls which, when the closure member is in closed position, arein alinement with the inner and outer cylindrical walls ofthe pressurechamber 11. r

'lhe closure member is also provided along the innerrface thereof withoutwardly projectin'g spaced lugs 35 which are adapted to enter betweenthe spaced lugs 13 at the pe riphery of the body portion and also withinwardly projecting spaced lugs 36 which are adapted to enter .betweenthe lugs 15 of the body portion. When the closure member is in closedposition,the lugs 35 and 36 thereof are positioned to the rear of thelugs 13 and 15- of the body portion and the closure member may be lockedagainst outward movement by rotating the body portion about its pivotalsupport 4 through an angle sufficient to position the lugs 35 and 36behind the lugs 13 and- 15.

The annular recesses of the closure member 30 receives an outer annularmold section 37 which is rigidly secured to the cover member the moldsection 37 fits within the annular inner portion of the recess 33,having bearing portions 39 which fit against the side walls of therecess. The outer mold section 37 is of substantially the same form asthe inner mold section 20 and is provided with an annular recess 40,complemental with the recess 24 of the inner section and adapted to formtherewith the annular mold cavity in which the article to be vulcanizedfits. The outer mold section 37 is provided with a steam chamber 41which conforms to the wall of the recess 40 and steam is supplied tothis steam chamber through a pipe 42 rigidly attached to themold sectionand extending through the wall of the closure member 30. A steam pipe 42is connected to the mold section adjacent the top thereof and a drainpipe 43 is attached to the mold section adjacent the bot tom thereof todrain the condensate from the steam chamber. j

Steamis supplied to the steam chambers of the inner and outer moldsections from a pipe 44 which is positioned in axial alinement with thehinge pintle 32 about which the closure member swings. The steam pipe 44is connected by a swivel coupling '45 with a pipe 46 which is attachedat its outer end to the pipe 42 attached to the outer mold section. Thepipe 44 is also connected by a flexible hose 47 with pipe 27 attached tothe inner mold section. The pipe 46 and swivel connection 45 provide apermanent connection between the steam pipe 44 and the steam chamber 41of the outer mold section, the

by means of bolts 38. The inner portion of .9

pipe 46 moving with the closure member 30 as the closure member is movedbetween its openrand closed positions and the coupling 45 providing aconnection between the steam pipe 44 and the pipe 46 to supply steam tothe steam chamber during the vulcanizing operation. The flexible hose 47provides a permanent connection between the steam pipe 44 and the steamchamber 25 of the inner mold section, the flexible hose 47 permittingthe inward and outward movements of the inner section in the body member5 of the casing and also permitting angular movements of the body memberto'lock and unlock the closure member. The drain pipes 28 and 43 for thesteam chambers 25 and 41 of the inner and outer mold sections areconnected by suitable hose connections 48 and 49 to a suitable drainpipe (not shown) and these hose connections do not interfere with theopening and closing movements of the closure member or with themovements of the body member and of the inner mold section in the bodymember.

In vulcanizingpneumatic tires, tire casings, innertubes or the like, itis customary to employ an air bag which fits within the hollow articlebeing vulcanized and which is supplied with air or other fluid underpressure during the vulcanizing operation. As shown herein, the narrowpipe 50 extends through tubular supporting member 4 and at its forwardend has connected thereto a short length of hose 51 to the outer end ofwhich is attached a coupling member 52 by which the hose may beconnected to the stem and an air bag to supply pressure to the air bag.

To turn the body portion 5 manually, a handle 53 is provided.

Provision is also made for mechanically turning the body portion 5either in opening or closing the mold. The body portion 5 has a lug 54connected by a pin 55, link 56 and pin 57 to a pistonrod 58. The pistonrod 58 is attached to a piston (not shown) arranged to reciprocatewithin the cylinder 59. V The cylinder 59 is secured to the base 1 bybolts 60. The pipes 61 and 62 connect the interior of the cylinder 60above and below the piston to three way valves 61a and 62a. Each valve61a and 62a is connected to a source of hydraulic pressure through pipe63. By manipulating the valves 61a and 62a, fluid pressure is admittedeither above or below the piston, and the piston rod 58 acting throughlink 56 on lug 54 causes the body portion 5 to turn.

In the operation of the heater, a tire casing, inner tube or the like isplaced in the recess 24 of the inner mold section and the closure member30 is swung to closed position to confine the article to be vulcanizedin the annular mold cavity provided between the mold sections by therecesses 24 and 40. When the closure member 30 is in closed position,the body portion5 of'the casing may be turned about its pivotal support4 to bring the lugs 13 and 15 over the lugs 35 and 36 of the closuremember. The inner engaging lugs of the body portion and closure membermay have interengaging wedgesurfaces to provide a tight interlock and tolimit the turning movement of the body portion 5. After connecting theair hose 51 to the air bag, steam will be admitted to the steam chambers25 and 41 of the inner and-outer mold sections and fluid under pressurewill be admitted through the pipe 18 to the interior of the chamber 11behind the piston 16 to force the inner mold section into tight engagement with the outer mold section.

It will be noted thatthe inner face of the outer mold section is spacedoutwardly from the inner face of the closure member so that the innermold section is moved partially into the recess of the closure member bythe pressure within the chamber 11. The bearing portions 26 of the innermold section fitting in the inner portion 34 of the recess 33 of theclosure member firmly lock the closure member against opening movementand prevent opening of the closure member until the inner mold sectionis withdrawn therefrom by rearward movement in the chamber 11. w

After the article has been subjected to heat in the mold chamber for asufficient time to complete vulcanization the inner mold section ismoved inwardly in the chamber 11 by a reductionvof pressure in thechamber which may be obtained by closing the pressure pipe 18 andopening the suction pipe 19 to the chamber. This rearward movement ofthe inner mold section separates the two mold sections and breaks anyadhesion there may be between the vulcanized article and the inner wallsof the mold chamber. After the inner mold section has been withdrawn asabove described, the body portion 5 of the casing may be turned by meansof the handle 53 or cylinder 59 to release the lugs 35 and 36 of theclosure member, whereupon the closure member is free to open to permitremoval of the vulcanized article from the heater.

It will be apparent that by providing a continuous interlock between theclosure member and the body portion of the casing along both the innerand outer edges of the mold sections, a very firm support is providedfor the outer mold section which will prevent the mold sections fromspringing apart at any point and will insure snug'engagement between thefaces of the mold sections throughout. It will also be apparent that byproviding an annular piston supporting the inner mold section and ofsubstantially the same diameter as the mold section. fluid pressure isvery effectively applied to the mold sections by reason of the largearea of the piston subjected to fluid pressure.

fl? said body member, annular mold sections car- In addition,it"shouldbe noted that the'advantageous results above referred to are obtained with a structure which is exceedingly simple and which can bemanufactured at a low cost.

Furthermore, it is to be understood that the particular form ofapparatus shown and described, and the particular procedure set forth,are presented for purposes of explanation and illustration and thatvarious modifications of said apparatus and procedure can be madewithout departing from my invention as defined in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is:

1. A watch case heater comprising a body member mounted to turn about acentral axis and having an annular mold section mounted therein, ahinged closure member having an annular mold section therein which iscomplemental to the first mold sectionand adapted to engage therewithwhen the; closure member is in closed position, meanscontrolled byturning movement or" the body member for locking the closure member tothe body member, and fluid pressure means for pressing one mold sectionagainst the other. I

2. A watch case heater comprising a body member mounted to turn about acentral axis and having an annular mold section mounted therein, ahinged closure member supported independently of the body member andhaving an annular mold section therein which is complemental to thefirst mold section and adapted to engage therewith when the closuremember is in closed position, said body member and closure member havingintegral 1'3? dially projecting interengaging lugs interiorly andexteriorly of the mold annulus for securing the closure member 1n closedposition,

' means for turning the body member to engage or disengage said lugs andfluid pressure means carried by the body member for pressing the moldsection carried by the body member against the mold section carried bythe closure member.

3. Ina watch case heater, a body member mounted to turn about a centralaxis, acover member mounted to swing toward and from the body portionabout an axis at right'angles to the first mentioned axis and at oneside of said body member, complemental mold sectionscarried by the bodyportion and cover, circumferentially spaced lugs on said closuremembers, and circumferentially spaced lugs on said body member movableinto locking engagement with the lugs of the closure member upon arotative movement of the body member. 1

4. Ina watch case heater, a body member mounted to turn about a centralaxis, a cover member mounted to swing toward and from the body portionabout an axis at right angles to the first mentioned axis and at oneside of ried by the body and cover, circumferentially spaced lugs on theclosure member outwardly of the mold annulus and other circumteremtially spaced lugs within the mold annulus, and circumferentially spacedlugs on the body member movable into locking engagement with said lugsof the closure member upon a rotative movement of the body member.

5. A Watch case heater comprising a body member having an annular fluidpressure chamber opening to the front face of the body member, anannular piston in said chamber, pressure and exhaust conduits connectedto said chamber, rearwardly of the piston, aninner mold section havingan annular recess on its outer side rigidly attached to said piston,said mold section having a steam chamber therein, a closure membermounted to swing into and out of engagement with the face of said bodymember, means for locking said closure member in closed position againstthe face of said body member, an outer mold section carried by saidclosure member, said outer mold section having an annular recesscomplemental to the recess of the inner mold section and adapted to formtherewith an annular mold cavity, said outer mold section also having asteam chamber therein, and means for supplying steam to the steamchambers of said mold sections.

6. A watch case heater comprising a body member having an annular fluidpressure chamber opening to the front face of the body member, anannular piston in said chamber, pressure and exhaust conduits connectedto said chamber, rearwardly of the piston, an inner mold section havingan annular recess on its outer side rigidly attached to said piston,said mold section having a steam chamber therein, a closure membermounted to swing into and out of engagement with the face of said bodymember, means forlocking said closure member in closed position againstthe face of said body member, an outer mold section carried by saidclosure member, said outer mold section having an annular recesscomplemental to the recess of the inner mold section and adapted to formtherewith an annular mold cavity, said outer' mold section also having asteam chamber therein, a steam pipe having a connection to the steamchamber of the inner mold section through the wall of said annularpressure chamber, and means including a swiveled coupling coaxial withthe hinge ofthe clo sure member for supplying steam to the steam chamberof theouter mold section.

7. A watch case heater comprising a body member having an annular fluidpressure chamber, an annular piston in said chamber, an inner annularmold section carried by said piston, a hinged closure memberhaving anannular recess which,*inv the closed position of the closure memberisalined with said inner mold section and of a size to receive the same,an outer annular mold section fitting in said recess, the inner face ofsaid mold section being spaced from the inner face of said closuremember, and means for locking said closure member in closed position onsaid body member.

8. A watch case heater comprising a body member having an annular fluidpressure chamber, an annular piston in said chamber, an inner annularmold section carried by said piston, a hinged closure member having anannular recess which, in the closed position of the closure member isalined with said inner mold section and of a size to receive the same,an outer annular mold section fitting in said recess, the inner face ofsaid mold section being spaced from the inner face of said closuremember, means for locking said closure member in closed position on saidbody member, and means for controlling the pressure in said pressurechamber to move the piston and inner mold section toward and away fromthe outer mold section.

9. A watch case heater comprising a support, a body member mounted onsaid support to turn about a central axis, a closure member mounted onthe support to turn about an axis at one side of said body member intoand out of engagement with the body member, complemental mold sectionscarried by said body and closure member,

means con-trolled by turning movements of the body member for lockingthe closure member to the body member, and means for pressing one moldsection against the other.

10. A watch case heater comprising a support, a body member mounted onsaid support to turn about a central axis, a closure member mounted onthe support to turn about an axis at one side of said body member intoand out of engagement with the body member, complement-a1 mold sectionscarried by said body and closure member, means controlled by turningmovements of the body member for locking the closure member to the bodymember, and fluid pressure operated means carried by the body forpressing the mold section of the body against the mold section of theclosure member.

11. A watch case heater comprising a support having spaced standards, ahorizontal shaft carried by one standard, a vertical shaft carried bythe other standard, an annular mold section mounted'to turn about itsaxis on the horizontal shaft, a complemental annular mold sectionmounted to swing about the vertical shaft into and out of engagementwith the first mentioned mold section, means controlled by turningmovements of the first mentioned mold section for locking the moldsections together, and means forpressing one mold section against theother. 7

12. A heater mold comprising a pair of mold section assemblies includingrespective mold sections adapted to mate with each other to define amold cavity, one of said mold sections being slidably mounted in itsassembly, a circumferential bayonet-type locking ring integrally formedon one of said assemblies, spaced locking lugs on the other of saidassemblies arranged to overlap therewith, one of said assemblies beingrotatable to lock said locking ring with said lugs to thereby preventrelative separational movement of said assemblies, and means for movingsaid slidably mounted mold section toward the other mold section foreffecting a tight closure of said mold sections.

18. A heater mold comprising a casing fixed against axial movement, aswingable cover casing, a piston in said fixed casing, a pair of moldsections respectively carried by said piston and the cover casing,spaced radial inwardly-extending lugs formed integrally with said fixedcasing, spaced radial outwardly-extending lugs formed integrally withsaid swingable cover casing and arranged to lie between and rearwardlyof said first mentioned lugs, means for rotating one of said casings tobring said lugs in superposed relation to thereby lock said casingstogether, and fluid pressure means for moving said piston to bring saidmold sections in closed mating relationship after said casings arelocked together.

14:. A heater mold comprising a cylinder casing, a door casing hinged ina plane perpendicular to the axis of said cylinder casing, a piston insaid cylinder casing provided with a coaxial annular mold section, amating annular mold section carried by said door casing, lockingv meanscoaxial with said casings, and means for rotating one of said casings tomove said locking means into operative relationship for holding saiddoor casing and its mold section against the thrust of said piston andits mold section.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HAROLD A. DENMIRE.

circumferentially arranged

